Chapter 3

I remembered my first life.

Josiah' s cold fury as he condemned Abigail and me.

The pain of the "Purification."

Eleanor' s shadow in the background, watching.

Her quiet words to the guards, ensuring my spirit found no rest.

That memory fueled me now.

Josiah raised Eleanor' s hand.

"Behold the mother of our future!" he declared.

The crowd cheered.

My father stepped forward.

"Elder Josiah, are you certain? The Old Sage spoke of Sarah' s strength."

Josiah' s eyes narrowed.

"The Old Sage also warned of deception, of darkness hiding in plain sight. Sarah' s Aura is strong, yes, but it is...unsettled. Dangerous. Eleanor is the safe path, the pure vessel."

He slandered me openly, twisting the truth.

Other Elders, loyal to Josiah, nodded.

"Josiah speaks wisdom," one said.

"We cannot risk a tainted Harbinger," another added.

The words spread, a poison.

I was alone, condemned by whispers and public decree.